Ralph Lauren Q1 Profit Falls on Slowed Sales

New York—Ralph Lauren Corp. today reported a lackluster first quarter where earnings and sales results were hit by unfavorable currency exchange and disappointing sales.

For the quarter ended June 29, the apparel and accessories company posted a 6.2% decline in net profit to $181 million, or $1.94 a share, down from $193 million, or $2.03 a share, from a year earlier. Still, the earnings beat analysts’ average estimate by 1 penny.

‘Encouraged by Fall and Beyond’

“Despite an uneven global operating environment, we planned the business prudently and achieved sales and profit levels that exceeded our expectations, even as we make important investments in our long-term growth objectives and in the infrastructure to support them,” said Roger Farah, chief operating officer.

Farah noted the company’s first-quarter results were actually better than it expected in both United States and Europe with softness primarily in the shop-in-shop, or so-called concession shops, in Korea and Japan.

“We feel good about our products,” Farah told analysts on a conference call. “Early reads have been good. We are encouraged about fall and beyond.”

Looking ahead, Ralph Lauren Corp. still believes sales will rise in the low single digits, despite continued currency woes and discontinued businesses. For the year, the company says, sales should rise 4% to 7%.

“We expect that our more recent investments in new stores, e-commerce operations and international expansion will contribute to accelerated sales and profit momentum in the second half of the year,” Farah added.

In a research note, JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss called Ralph Lauren’s efforts “moves for the long term” but said the pressure on profits and slowing retail sales would hurt the company’s shares.

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Jeff Prine, Editor at Large, Accessories Magazine Jeff returns as a regular contributor to Accessories magazine. Initially Jeff worked as senior editor at Accessories more than 20 years ago and his love of the industry has followed him until present. Since his tenure here, Jeff has continued to report jewelry, watch and other luxury goods trends as executive editor at Modern Jeweler magazine, fashion director at Lustre, and as contributor on products and trends for consumer and trade publications and websites. In addition to his editorial experience, Jeff also served as an adjunct instructor for accessories merchandising at Fashion Institute of Technology. jeffp@busjour.com